NZ Army soldiers return from first Ukraine training mission in UK

Since early September, 120 NZ Army soldiers were in the United Kingdom as part of an international programme training Ukrainian recruits at British Army camps. 

With the assistance of interpreters, the personnel instructed Ukrainian recruits in a five-week training course delivering a basic introduction to soldiering, tactical exercises, range practices and live field firing. The training covers weapon handling, operational law, field-craft, offensive and defensive operations, and marksmanship.

Recruits were taught to operate different weapon systems, fight in a trench or clear a building, as well as how to survive on the battlefield and deliver combat first aid.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said the NZDF was working with partner militaries to deliver the training, with those on the ground working tirelessly to prepare AFU soldiers for the battlefield.

Our personnel have been as motivated to provide this training as have been the AFU recruits to learn. With so much at stake, our professional soldiers have turned groups of motivated individuals into capable ones, who will soon be applying everything they have learned to Ukraine’s defence.

Land Component Commander Colonel Duncan Roy, who met the NZ Army personnel when they arrived on a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing aircraft at Base Ohakea last night, said the NZ Army personnel had built a rapport with the recruits.

Those recruits had demonstrated resolve and tenacity to learn soldiering skills to equip them for the frontline, he said.

“The first groups trained by our personnel came from civilian backgrounds. Others, in the most recent groups trained, have had combat experience. They are motivated to defend their country. Our NZ Army instructors have put every effort into providing them with the core skills needed for this.’’

In January 2023, another NZ Army infantry training team, of up to 66 personnel, will be deployed to the UK for six months to train more AFU recruits as part of the international training programme.

The NZDF has provided other assistance to support Ukraine’s self-defence against Russia, including intelligence analysts, logistics support, an aircraft and personnel to transport donated military aid, and an artillery training team which trained AFU soldiers in the 105mm Light Gun.